Don't revive provincial administration, Raila urges Ruto

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has urged President William Ruto not to bring back the provincial administration system, calling it a colonial-era structure that has no place in modern Kenya.

He said the government should instead focus on strengthening devolution by increasing funding to counties and allowing them to fully serve citizens.

“Provincial administration is a relic of colonialism,” Raila said during Madaraka Day celebrations at the Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay on Sunday.

“It has no place today in a free and independent country. Let county governments receive sufficient resources and be allowed to deliver services to the people.”

Raila said the national government must empower counties and called on Parliament to allocate Sh450 billion to the devolved units in the upcoming budget.

“We want to see devolution working,” he said.

“Counties need to be properly funded so that they can provide essential services. There are also some national functions that can be delegated to counties to make governance more effective.”

He said members of Parliament should continue their oversight, legislative, and representative duties, but development work must be left to the counties.

Raila also used the platform to call for national unity and inclusion, warning against divisions based on tribe, gender, religion or culture.

“This is what our founding fathers envisioned—one nation united in diversity,” he said.

He further urged for compensation of victims and families affected during the 2022 and 2024 protests.
“There are people who were injured, and others who lost their lives. Let us give them justice through compensation so that we can have closure and move forward in unity,” he said.

Raila welcomed recent efforts at reconciliation, including apologies made during the National Prayer Breakfast, and called for continued dialogue to promote peace and unity.